Walloon permitting policy for PV facilities
About this good practice
Principle: no building permit required for solar panels
The fact that installing solar panels can be easy and cheap helps the development of RECs
In Wallonia, the installation of solar panels does not require planning permission (Code Wallon de l'Aménagement du Territoire, de l'Urbanisme et du Patrimoine (CWATUP) Art. 262, paragraph 2). This applies regardless of the shape, size, height or power of the installation.
However, two conditions must be met:
Solar panels must be fixed to or integrated into the roof.
The system must not extend beyond the building on which it is installed.
Please note, however, that these exemptions from prior authorization for the installation of photovoltaic panels are not valid if :
- The installation of the panels contravenes other existing provisions (e.g. local planning regulations).
- The solar panels are to be installed on a protected site or property.
- The photovoltaic installation requires preparatory work subject to planning permission (e.g. construction of a separate building).
Exception: planning permission required for ground-mounted solar panels!
In principle, as we've just seen, no planning permission is required for a photovoltaic installation on a private property. However, there is one exception: the installation of ground-mounted solar panels. In this case, the opinion of a delegated official and the involvement of an architect are mandatory.
Resources needed
Since it is a regulatory measure, the good practise doesn’t have a cost. Maybe it can even generate savings due to less work for public authorities for analysing permit requests.
The main way to measure its impact is to measure how many PV facilities are installed in Wallonia.
Evidence of success
Due mainly to the energy crisis, the number of new PV has strongly increased in 2022 compared to 2021 (+ 19.300 PV facilities). It means that people were reactive and could transform quickly into act thanks to a flexible policy permitting their will to install solar panels on their roof to protect themselves against energy crisis.
Such a permitting policy contributes to low price for PV. For instance compared to French prices a PV plant costs about 40% less in Wallonie than in France
Potential for learning or transfer
Is all about regulatory measure. Therefore, it is feasible for every country to have such policy in place in its own regulation.
This good practise might be particularly interesting for regions where permitting policy is quite complex or restrictive (such as Italy for instance) or where emergence of REC projects are slowed down by the long process to get a permit to install solar PV. Even If issues as heritage protection are not the same in every country.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Public Service of Wallonia, Territory, Housing, Heritage, Energy